Haggai 2 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson

                       In the hymn “Angels, from the Realms of Glory, the third stanza includes this phrase, “Seek the great Desire of nations, Ye have seen His natal star.”  This fist phrase Seek the great Desire of nations is taken from Haggai 2:7.  The hymn writer believes that Haggai 2:7 refers to Christ.  I think you can easily discern from reading this entire chapter that  this is not what Haggai meant.  Although poor interpretation of Haggai, it is still a good hymn.  Now for the reasons I think this French hymn writer was wrong.

            First, Haggai was one of three Minor Prophets who prophesied after the return from Exile.  Haggai and Zechariah come early in this period while Malachi is almost 100 years later.  If you were to read Ezra and Nehemiah, you will find even more context for Haggai. 

            The emphasis is on the rebuilding of the temple.  The temple was a place of worship and God’s glory.  Fifteen years earlier, the remnant had returned from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild.  As Ezra 3:12 reports, both cries of joy and tears of disappointment were mingled together. 

            In chapter 2, God  speaks through Haggai to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, to the high priest, Joshua, and to the people words of strong encouragement.  God refers to the covenant going back to the exodus in 2:5.  He reminds them, even though they are discouraged, that He is with them and will provide for them.  In verses 6-9,  the context is about money or the treasures of the nations or what the nations desire will be given to His people.  The nations do not desire God but wealth.  God will supply His people what they need to accomplish His will.  Just like the Hebrews plundered the Egyptians when the left Egypt (Ex 12:36), God will supply from His storehouse all they need.

             In vs. 10-19, Haggai asked a few obvious questions.  In v. 12, the question is a softball question for the priests.  The next one is as easy as the first. Haggai’s application to these questions is God’s indictment to the nation of Israel.  In verse 14, “So it is with this people . . . what they offer there is unclean.”  Those of you who know Leviticus and the categories of clean and unclean will understand the judgment on God’s people. 

            Haggai also points to God’s judgment on their leanness.  When once came to a wine vat to draw fifty measures, there was twenty, and all they experienced was blight with mildew and with hail.  But in verse 19, “from this day on I will bless you.”

            The last section God once again promises to shake the heavens and the earth and overthrow the kingdoms of the nations.  Notice God determination in these verses.  Five times in these few verses God says I will.  Look closely at vs. 21, 22 (3 times), 23.  If God says he will do something, you can count on it. 

            Is this fulfilled in some glorious temple?  Do we find a second Solomonic Temple after the return of the exiles?  Some criticize Haggai for being too focused on externals like a temple.  But in this chapter, although there is proper emphasis placed on the temple, we find God declaring He is with them v. 4, appeals to the covenant He made at Sinai v. 5, and reminds them His Spirit remains in their midst.  Then in vs. 14, God points out their deficient worship.  They are unclean.  Haggai stresses the need to be right with God internally not just externally

            This is a good time yet a time of discouragement.  God’s promise is futuristic.  He promises that Zerubbabel is His chosen servant as well as a signet ring in v. 23.  One wonders if this prophecy was fulfilled in Haggai’s time – we doubt it – but was it fulfilled in the time of Christ?  Does this point to the Gentiles coming into the Kingdom?  In Matthew 1:12,13 we see his name listed in the genealogy of Christ.  What a glorious example of God’s grace. 

            We are not building a temple, but we are engaged in God’s work if we set our minds to serve Him.  He promises all the resources you need to serve Him.  He is the Sovereign over all nations.  If He wants a ministry to have money, that is an easy thing for God to do.  He can “shake down” nations and gather all the resources He needs.  The nations desire gold.  In heaven we walk on gold.  Money is not a value that God cherishes. 

            Lord, we are not returning from being gone from our homes nor is our church the Temple and neither is our church in ruins.  But we live in a community where many do not know You at all.  Help us to be busy doing Your will and we ask that You supply the resources.  We worry about so many things.  We need to hear our name like Martha did when our Lord said to her as she fussed about Mary.   “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary (Luke 10:41- 42).

            Help us to rest in You as we work with and for You.  We are to strive, wrestle, grow, and seek.  But not in our flesh.  Sometimes that balance gets blurred in our minds.  It is hard for us to be wise, spiritual, patient, and always laboring for You.  We need Your power in our lives.  We know that You “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.  In love, You predestined us for adoption as Ephesians 1 tells us.  Keep our minds fixed on these truths when we get discouraged.  Lift our heads to see Your power.  In the strong name of Jesus. Amen.